watering potatoes...

[crazii_c]

hey guys,

i was wondering when do i start watering my potatoes?

im growing them in grow sacks for the first time. they've nearly been earthed up to the top, should i start now?

[Snadger]

Tatties grown in sacks will need a lot more water than those grown in the soil! I try to keep the compost slightly moist if I can.

[Flobalob]

The first signs of lack of water will be the withering look of the leafs.
Caught mine at this stage yesterday. Gave them a watering and alls well again this morning.

[Florence Fennel]

You anticipated a question I was going to ask this morning! It's my second year with sacks and I was disappointed at the yield last year and wondered if it was due to lack of water. I am alternating the earthing up with grass clippings and compost, so will I need to water weekly?

[Two_Sheds]

will I need to water weekly?

If you don't get any rain, yes.

The critical time to water potatoes is when the tubers are forming (when they flower, if they do).
Over-watering is bad

[Snadger]

I have put slits in the bottom of the bags and placed them directly on soil so once the roots get through the slits I shouldn't need to water as often!

[Florence Fennel]

That's a good idea Snadger, thanks. It'll help to churn up some more lawn too!

[cazp]

I have been watering mine fairly frequently and they are only a buds with a few leaves! The soil is moist (not waterlogged). Have I been overwatering and should I be rationing the water until the flower stage then?

[COMPOST CORNER]

I found last year. you may need to water them even if it rains, the foliage can shield the container from all but the most torrential downpours

[Patchninja]

My tub's in the GH and it needs a goodly drink every couple of days now or the leaves go all wilty on me. How do I know when to tip it out?

[Lovely Helen]

I can't get enough water into mine - even when the top is moist the bottom can be totally dry. This year I have sunk sections of down pipe with holes drilled in and filled with gravel through the bag in an attempt to get even watering. I definitely does affect the yield a lot if they are too dry and they need much more food than ground grown potatoes as well.

[danmon_81]

when do people stop earthing up? do you keep going? Mine are in bags this year

[DaveJ]

This year I have sunk sections of down pipe with holes drilled in and filled with gravel through the bag in an attempt to get even watering.

Another way of ensuring water reaches the roots is to cut the base off an empty plastic pop bottle, push the mouth of the bottle into the pot, container or ground and fill the bottle with water. You then have your own 'reservoir' of water. This method can also be used as a drip feed if you are going away for a few days.

[Sanjo]

when do people stop earthing up? do you keep going? Mine are in bags this year

When I literally can't get any more compost in the bag. Mine are topped right up and so I shall now leave them until the haulms die down and then I shall "furtle" (ie for those new to the vine word, it means a little rummage around the roots)

[Two_Sheds]

How do I know when to tip it out?

After about 12 weeks, have a furtle (a fumble)